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If the church is an assembly of Christians it seems sensible to me to ask what a Christian is before proceeding further.

I think there needs to be agreement on what is a Christian before asking what is a church. I wrote these a long time ago, but I think I still agree with myself! https://marprelate.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/what-is-a-christian/ What is a Church? I think they are a bit long to cut and paste here.

I do think they have a choice. I have repeatedly said so, as have generations of Calvinists. It really would be helpful if you stopped reading caricatures of what Calvinists believe and listened to what they actually believe. Imagine yourself walking through the woods and suddenly coming...

As I say, I've never come across it, and hope I never do. I don't think the practice occurs in the N.T. post-Pentecost, which is pehaps an indication that it shouldn't have occurred pre-Pentecost. Would you use lots to vote in elders in your congregation?

:rolleyes: May I refer you to Bambi and the wise words of Thumper's mother: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" (c.f. Job 13:5).

You're right; you have posted this nonsense many times. The fact is that the Holy Spirit teaches Calvinism in the Bible, so whether Augustine was influenced by pagans or not is irrelevant. My prayer for you is that you would read the Bible without your prejudices which are blinding you to the...

The Arminian firefighter turns up and finds that none of the prisoners want to escape. They think it's great there and don't believe the building is really burning!

Both God and proper theology (Calvinism) say both these things (John 6:37-40). That your human reasoning cannot comprehend this is your problem, not mine. I can only refer you to the Bible. If it's any encouragement to you, Nicodemus couldn't understand it at first either (John 3:1-10). Of...

I don't see this as showing any uncertainty by Spurgeon. He is using an illustration. If my memory serves, he likens the two lines to a railway track. The fact is that God's word teaches both the absolute sovereignty of God and man's responsibility (John 6:39-40; Matt. 11:25-30). That we may...

No, I never heard of the practice in modern times. I'm not aware that it goes on in Britain. Perhaps it does across the Pond.

The texts we were discussing say that Christ will save all those whom God has given Him to save, and that not one will be lost How do your beliefs make the number of people saved larger than my beliefs do? Also, wait until the end of time to see how many people God will save. It is a great...

I am glad to learn that you believe in a prevenient call of God, but perhaps now you realise how annoying it is to have your beliefs misconstrued. However, I believe in a God who is sovereign in salvation, and I pray believing that He is able to save my loved ones, not merely to enable them to...

What we have here is a most basic misunderstanding of the typical meaning of the Levitical offerings. They are not intended to prefigure salvation. You need to go to the the Passover and the crossing of the Red Sea for that. The Levitical offerings are to do with the work of Christ relating...

Because God will have it so. 1 Cor. 1:21. 'For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by its wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the word preached to save those who believe.' A helpful O.T. verse is Esther 4:14. 'For if you remain completely silent at this time...

I think you will find that you have just agreed with me. Thanks! :) Thank you also for mentioning John 6:38. "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." Very helpful! Of course our Lord tells us in the very next verse what that will is. "This...

I think we can leave that to God. if it is true that 'All that the Father gives Me will come to Me,' which it is, then God will look after the details. Matt. 10:29 applies.

Hmm. Scripture doesn't actually mention Matthias after (or before) Acts 1. Yes, but Paul claims the same apostolic credentials in 1 Cor. 9:1. True; I did not say that the lot was superstition, but does it appear again in the New Testament? Rather, does it not disappear along with the Urim...

Many moons ago, I was chatting to a more mature Christian than myself and voiced the opinion that maybe Paul was the twelth apostle and Peter & Co. had no business drawing lots for another apostle. The Lord Jesus had chosen the twelve and he would choose a replacement for Judas, not them...

Perhaps I should have been more clear. Before someone is born anew, he will always use his free will to reject the Gospel; after he is born anew, he is the recipient of a new heart and a new spirit and will use his free will to receive the Gospel. I hope that clarifies. There are those who...

I have been through this so many times, but I suppose once more won't hurt. God's absolute sovereignty in salvation does not bypass the hu,am will. John 6:37. 'All that the Father gives Me will come to me.....' Here is your Particular, Effective Atonement. The Father has given to the Son a...